Honest conversations about the complexity, frustration, and beauty of church life in the 21st century. Topics range from theology, ecclesiology, discipleship, practical ministry, missions, spiritual formation, and other things related to following Jesus in community.
S1 E5 · Tue, February 25, 2025
Jon Sherwood talks with author and pastor Karl Vaters , who specializes in helping small churches thrive. In this episode they discuss the concepts in Karl's recent book, " De-Sizing the Church, How Church Growth Became a Science, then an Obsession, and what's Next ". In this episode Jon and Karl discuss the history of the Church Growth Movement and how we got to where we are at today in the church in America. They also talk about the fact that no matter the size of the church, numbers cannot be the only measure of success or failure. Of course this concept isn't new, but it is so difficult to live out, even in Jon and Karl's hearts personally - who are both small church pastors recovering from big church addiction. Buy: De-Sizing the Church #UNpolished #microchurch #housechurch #church #churches #christian #christianity #churchgrowth #ministry
S1 E4 · Tue, February 18, 2025
"All healthy things grow" ... right? In this episode Jon Sherwood discusses his journey in the vocational ministry and his understandings of what it is he gets paid to do. What does success in the ministry look like? How can we tell if we are doing what God wants? If ministry doesn't grow numerically, does it mean that something is necessarily wrong? Join us as we tackle some of these questions. Sign up to receive updates: https://www.jonsherwood.com/podcastsubscribe #UNpolished #microchurch #housechurch #church #churches #christian #christianity #churchgrowth #ministry
S1 E3 · Thu, January 30, 2025
Jon Sherwood, James Hatfield and Daniella Hatfield have a conversation about the pros and cons of church decentralization and what it has been like to decentralize from a single traditional church to a micro church network of multiple microchurches. Topics include the beauty and weirdness of walking into a house church for the first time, as well as advice for big church leaders and pastors that may be considering including small church expressions that are incorporated into their existing structures. #microchurch #housechurch #church #churches #christian #christianity
S1 E2 · Fri, January 03, 2025
Jon Sherwood and Asheville Church Network leaders and guests, James and Daniella Hatfield, recount some of the backstory of our journey from a traditional model church to a micro church network. They discuss the need to journey through change slowly, and that no single church (or model) can meet everyone's needs or be the best fit for them to thrive spiritually. Resources referenced: Brian Sanders, Microchurches Francis Chan, We Are Church Mark Baker, Centered-Set Church Ralph Moore (the pastor from Hawaii that Jon couldn't remember during the episode) #microchurch #housechurch #church #churches #christian #christianity #tampaunderground
S1 E1 · Sat, December 21, 2024
Jon Sherwood and James Hatfield discuss what the UNpolished Church Podcast is about and who it is for . In this pilot episode they talk about the origins of UNpolished as well as the Asheville Church Network, a micro church network in Western North Carolina. This episodes also touches on the direction and future of the show, as well as why there seems to be a growing discontent with traditional church in America. #microchurch #housechurch #church #churches #christian #christianity
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